Posted by linkadge on January 17, 2007, at 16:04:40
In reply to Re: Too MUCH serotonin causes depression(not 2LITTLE), posted by bulldog2 on January 17, 2007, at 13:37:16
But inhibiting the reuptake of a neurotransmitter is not really creating more of the neurotransmitter. If the brain really needed to, it could modify the reuptake of its own neurotransmitters to compensate.
Actually it does this. As norepiniephrine becomes depleted, NET drops to try and compensate. So by taking a NET inhibitor, you're not really making the brain any more resemblant of a healthy brain.
Some of the TCA's act upon gene expression on the HPA axis. I remember reading that imipramine alters a gene that codes for cortisol sythesis.
Another thing is that serotonin can be anxiogenic dependant on the brain state. Serotonin released in the amygdala for instance creates fear. Individuals who posess the SS varient of the serotonin tranporter (which codes for a lower uptake of serotonin) show enhanced amygdala activation in response to frigtening images, as well as incease GI response to stress.Serotonin released in the dorsal raphai neucleus is also anxiogenic. So taking an SSRI would enhance the response of serotonin release here.
So the fact that some people find SSRI's very anxiogenic does not suprise me. And the concept that serotonin is the "calming neurotransmitter" is nonsensicle.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:723210
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070113/msgs/723277.html